Makati tops digital governance awards

MAKATI, Philippines — The Makati City government was hailed as the overall winner of the 2019 Digital Governance Awards for its Makatizen Card project.

The Makatizen Card allows the city’s residents to access city government services and transact with the city government. 

It could be used for the payment of taxes and fees, as an automated teller machine card and a valid government identification card.

In a statement issued yesterday, Mayor Abigail Binay welcomed the award, saying the digital route is “the road to the future and to real progress.”

“We need to constantly improve our services, speed and efficiency, as well as the method of delivery,” Binay said.

“We always make sure that we deliver them on time, and in the most efficient way possible,” she added.

She said the program is part of Makati’s transformation into the country’s first digial city. 

“It empowers our employees, the senior citizens and the youth. With a single card, they will be able to stay informed and enjoy all the benefits and programs that Makati has painstakingly laid out for them. It’s the key to a better life,” Binay said.

Aside from winning the award, the city was given two slots for an all-expense-paid International Learning Program for Digital Governance at the Huawei Academy in Shenzhen, China.